School Administrators Commend Oprah and Gates Foundation, Call On Public to Recognize Public Schools' Achievements

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ARLINGTON, Va., April 17 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The American Association of School Administrators commends the "Oprah Winfrey Show" for its April 11 and 12 focus on public schools, "American Schools in Crisis." AASA -- whose own Stand Up for Public Education(tm) campaign is now three years old -- applauds Oprah for encouraging parents and citizens to join the nation's school administrators, urging students to stay in school and demanding that Americans work together to make schools the best they can be.

But while the program's focus on the nation's dropout rate is alarming, AASA calls attention to the good news of the large numbers of citizens whose major learning, socialization and career preparation is via our public schools. In a diverse and ever- changing culture, schools remain the universal source of acculturation for society. In a world in which technology and other factors drive change at a very rapid rate, there are more students entering college and post-graduate schools than ever before. Fifty- eight percent of those responding to an AASA poll say students work harder in school now than ever.

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School Administrators Commend Oprah and Gates Foundation, Call On Public to Recognize Public Schools' Achievements

"The Oprah Show's point that schools are not as good as they were 20 years ago is powerful but mistaken," says Paul D. Houston, AASA executive director. "In fact, schools a...

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